The Enabling Masterplan 2030 (EMP2030), which sets out the vision for Singapore as an inclusive society in 2030, was released today. The EMP2030, which is Singapore’s fourth Enabling Masterplan, was put together by a 27-member Steering Committee (SC) co-chaired by Mr Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Social and Family Development) and Mr Gan Seow Kee, Vice Chairperson of the Singapore Business Federation (see Annex A for list of SC members). It comprises 29 recommendations along 3 strategic themes spanning 14 focal areas, which cover the life stages and various needs of persons with disabilities and their caregivers (see Annex B for the full list of goals and recommendations across 14 focal areas). The EMP2030 was launched by the two Co-Chairs at a visit to AWWA’s new Home and Day Activity Centre which will start operations in September 2022.
2. The Government has accepted all the recommendations of EMP2030 and will work with partners in the people and private sectors to implement the recommendations. Some highlights from the recommendations and select implementation plans under the three strategic themes are described below.
Highlights from Recommendations across the Three Strategic Themes
Strategic Theme I Strengthen support for lifelong learning in a fast-changing economy
3. Building on the considerable progress made over the years in developing a more inclusive education system, the SC recommends expanding the range and capacity of post-18 services. The SC has also recommended providing better support for training and lifelong learning.
4. The Ministry of Social and Family Development will pilot Enabling Services Hubs (ESHs) so that persons with disabilities living near the ESHs can look forward to social and learning activities which will maintain their functional and social skills and keep them meaningfully engaged. SG Enable will also develop an Enabling Skills Framework to help persons with disabilities chart their training and lifelong learning journey, to increase the chances for employment for those with employment potential.
Strategic Theme II Enable persons with disabilities to live independently
5. Building on the Government’s efforts to provide financial incentives and practical support to place more persons with disabilities in employment, the SC recommends enhancing support for persons with disabilities to work in jobs according to their interests and abilities. The SC has also recommended strengthening support for persons with disabilities to live independently and with dignity in the community.
6. MSF will work with public agencies, disability SSAs and industry champions to develop alternative employment models such as microjobs and increase the number of disability-inclusive employers. MSF will also work with the Ministry of National Development (MND) and disability SSAs to design and implement alternative housing and care models that enable persons with disabilities to live and age in place in the community.
Strategic Theme III Create physical and social environments that are inclusive to persons with disabilities
7. Our physical and social environments must be accessible and inclusive, for persons with disabilities to be truly included in society. Hence, the SC has recommended enhancing accessibility across the areas of communications, transport, public spaces, healthcare, sports, arts and heritage, and within our communities.
8. As a start, the Ministry of Transport and Land Transport Authority will install 24/7 on-demand audible traffic signals at 325 pedestrian crossings in 10 town centres with higher proportions of residents with visual impairment. To accelerate accessibility upgrading in buildings, MND and the Building and Construction Authority will require all building owners to provide basic accessibility features throughout a building whenever any addition and alteration works are undertaken, through legislation targeted for early 2023. The Smart Nation and Digital Government Group (SNDGG) will also work towards ensuring that all high-traffic Government websites will be accessible by 2030, up from the current 61%1.
9. Persons with intellectual disabilities who have cognitive and/or communication challenges can already look forward to more accessible healthcare. The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the College of Family Physicians Singapore (CFPS), introduced the Family Practice Skills Course in July 2022 to further strengthen General Practitioners’ (GP) skills in the provision of care. This would include addressing behaviours of concern and future care planning. About 200 GPs have since participated in the course.
Indicators and Measurable Targets in EMP2030
10. To measure Singapore’s progress towards achieving the EMP2030 goals, EMP2030 introduces indicators and measurable targets for each focal area. These indicators and targets were proposed by the SC, drawing on their own experiences as persons with disabilities, caregivers, and providers of disability services, as well as feedback garnered from wider consultations with various stakeholder groups.
11. Co-chair of the EMP2030 SC Mr Gan Seow Kee said, “Achieving the EMP2030 vision and goals requires a collective effort by all of Singapore society to overcome the physical as well as mindset barriers that constrain persons with disabilities from fully participating in everyday life. I thank the Steering Committee members and the many others from across the people, public, and private sectors who have shared their views and hopes for the EMP2030.”
12. Co-chair Mr Eric Chua added, “The EMP2030 is a milestone in our continual journey to co-create a more inclusive Singapore. EMP2030 has identified key challenges that persons with disabilities and their caregivers face. I hope many will join us on this journey as we bring together our energies, ideas and resources to address these challenges and press on with improvements, as we work together to build a caring and inclusive society for all.”
13. Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for Health, who received the report on behalf of the Government, said, “I thank the Steering Committee for its hard work and thoughtful effort in developing the EMP2030. This is a significant piece of work, which describes in tangible terms what an inclusive Singapore would look like by 2030, and provides a framework for us to be able to track our progress along the way as we work to make this a reality. I am pleased to accept the recommendations on behalf of the Government, and have begun the process of turning this plan into action.”
14. Everyone has a part to play to achieve a fair and inclusive society – one where persons with disabilities are enabled to pursue their aspirations, achieve their fullest potential, and participate as integral and contributing members of society.
15. To join us in making EMP2030 a reality
• As an Individual Visit the SG Enable website to learn about the various disabilities and how one can contribute.
• As an Organisation Find out about what it means to be a disability-inclusive employer and pledge to be disability-inclusive here.
16. If you are a person with disabilities or a caregiver for a person with disabilities, visit the Enabling Guide to find out more about support services and schemes that may be appropriate for you.
17. The full EMP2030 report can be found here.
1High-traffic Government websites are websites with at least 1 million visits per year.
Annex A Members of the EMP2030 Steering Committee (425kb)
Annex B EMP2030 Focal Areas, Goals and Recommendations (440kb)
Annex C Translated Terms (458kb)
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